May Is Motorcycle Awareness Month

For many motorcyclists, the call of the road gets stronger as the weather
warms. More motorcyclists enjoy riding with friends on spring and summer
weekends and commuting to work by bike. Riding a motorcycle has a lot
of appeal, but sharing the road with cars and trucks who are not alert
for motorcyclists can be dangerous.

Here are some tips to keep in mind anytime you get on your motorcycle in
North Carolina or South Carolina:

Ride Distraction-Free

One of the most important things that you can do as a motorcyclist is to
ride without distractions. When you are distracted, it is harder to keep
track of the position of other cars and trucks on the road. It can increase
your risk of being in an accident. Riding distraction-free means keeping
music at a reasonable volume, keeping both eyes focused on the road, and
never using a cellphone or handheld mobile device while operating a motorcycle.

In addition to avoiding distractions, make sure that you always operate
your motorcycle while sober.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the percentage of intoxicated motorcycle riders involved
in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of intoxicated drivers
of motor vehicles.

Follow the Law

Another way to stay safe is to obey speed limits and traffic safety laws,
which are in place to prevent accident. For motorcyclists in North Carolina,
this means using a headlight, taking a rider education course, making
sure your motorcycle is equipped with mirrors, never lane-splitting, and
following all posted traffic signs and laws. To increase visibility, motorcycles
sold in the U.S. since 1978 automatically have the headlights on when running.

North Carolina has a universal helmet law requiring that all riders on
the road wear motorcycle helmets. South Carolina requires that riders
under age 21 wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet when riding reduces the severity
of injuries and the risk of a fatal injury in the event of a crash.

Always Ride Defensively

Be aware that most crashes occur on short trips. As a motorcyclist, if
you are involved in a crash with a motor vehicle, you are likely to be
the one who sustains the more severe injuries. One out of every five motorcycle
crashes involves a head or neck injury. The driver of the car is protected
by the vehicle’s frame and passenger compartment. To reduce the
risk of being involved in an accident, you should always ride defensively,
which means taking precautions and being ready at all times to react to
another another drivers’ actions. Do not assume that other motorists
will see you or yield the right of way, even if they are supposed to do
so. Always be cautious and patient. Your life is on the line.

Contact Us to See if You Have a Case

If you are a motorcycle accident victim in North Carolina or South Carolina,
our motorcycle accident lawyer can help you.
Contact the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor P.C. today to see if you have a motorcycle
accident claim and the amount of damages that you may be able to recover.
We serve all of North and South Carolina as well as Gastonia, Asheville,
Statesville, and Boone. You can call our offices directly, or use our
online form to contact us and tell us more about your case.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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